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How To Sew Lined Curtains

Thursday, April 02, 2009

You've seen the images of my Kate's room, but did you notice the curtains? She originally had some floral numbers up but my mom insisted that she needed something new to go with the theme. She said, "I'll whip up some curtains and you can pick them up when you come." Only my mom can use the term "whip up" and "curtains" in the same sentence.

I will say, though, that I have made lined curtains before and they really are easy... easy enough for you to try yourself. I asked my mom to take some pictures while she sewed and write out some easy instructions....

Measure to determine the length of the curtain. If you are using rings, make sure to allow 2.5" for them to hang down. Once you've determined the finished length, add 5" for hems.

Make sure your fabric edge is even before cutting.

If you are making the curtains more narrow than your fabric, make sure to add 1" for seam allowances.

Measure and cut your lining 2" shorter than your fabric and 3" narrower. (again, make sure the top of your lining is even before cutting!)

On the bottom edge of the fabric, turn under and press .5" and turn under another 3". Press, pin and sew. Repeat with your lining.

For the top hem of your fabric, turn under the fabric .5" and then another 1". Press with an iron - do not sew!

With the right sides together, pin the lining to the fabric down each side. Line them up at the top fold (the bottoms will not match lengths). Stitch down the sides.

Once you've stitched both sides, turn the curtains right side out and press.

Fold the top edge of the fabric over the top edge of the lining. Pin and sew. Just attach the rings and slip them on a rod.

The ironing is the most important part, if you want your curtains to look their best. Make sure to press between each step - always start with a freshly pressed fabrics!

Here's the curtains in the dining room that I made myself using these same instructions.

I did add pleats at the top, which is easy to do. Just follow all the instructions above and then stitch pleaters tape, which is available at your local fabric store, to the top. Then use pleater hooks to install it on the rod. So simple, yet tailored!

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